Police study video footage of Euroborg stadium blazes

14th April 2008, 0 comments

The police are investigating into the fires that forced the postponement of Groningen-Ajax match on Sunday.

14 April 2008

GRONINGEN - Police studied security camera footage on Monday in investigating the fires that ripped through a stand at Euroborg Stadium, forcing the postponement of FC Groningen's league match with Ajax.

A series of small fires started in thousands of toilet paper rolls that Groningen fans were throwing onto the pitch before Sunday's match, and they quickly spread to the plastic seating in one of the two-year-old ground's stands.

Players who had been warming up returned to the changing rooms as supporters fled to emergency exits or clambered over a glass barrier onto the pitch to escape the flames and billowing clouds of thick smoke.

Police said 19 fans were injured and four were hospitalised. Most were as a result of smoke inhalation.

The Dutch soccer federation also announced on Monday that a special prosecutor is conducting an independent investigation into the fires.

"Based on the findings, (the prosecutor) will decide who is to blame and what sanctions are necessary," the federation said in a statement.

The match has been rescheduled for Wednesday night. If Ajax fails to win, PSV Eindhoven will win the league title for the fourth straight season.